Spatial

Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) 2 Scott Parker Creative Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre

Finalist
2024 Exhibition & Temporary Structures
Credits
  • Pou Auaha / Creative Director
    Esther Tobin
  • Ringatoi Matua / Design Directors
    Scott Parker, Jessica Gommers
  • Ngā Kaimahi / Team Members
    Tanya Wilkinson, Ruby Oliver, Julie Baker
  • Kaitautoko / Contributors
    Dimension Shopfitters, Rick Pearson, Toby Morris, Dan Mace, Huriana Kopeke te Aho, Basrarab Painters, Autex, Jacobsens, Playtopz, Big Colour Print Ltd, Satellite
Description:

Te Puawānanga Science and Technology Centre supports and activates MOTAT’s promise of being ‘the science and technology playground of Aotearoa: hands on, minds-on, discovery for everyone’, underpinned by Te Whāriki (the early childhood curriculum), and aligned with the New Zealand school curriculum.

A large team of staff, contractors and contributors were employed to transform an existing 2200 sq m building into this landmark visitor experience. With an overarching goal to inspire our young people to be the innovators of tomorrow – the core design team confidently shifted away from traditional science centre design to create something unexpected and confidently ‘of this place.’

With multiple experiences within this space, each one was outlined with a unique objective. Each of the unique deliverables needed to align with a bigger design intention so that any visitor would be able to easily and intuitively move from one screen, space, activity or topic onto the next. Design cues such as strong sightlines, physical and digital interactives, colour, fonts and information hierarchy all help ease learners into complex scientific and technological concepts.

Te Puawānanga is undoubtedly ‘of this place’, nurturing te ao Māori and paving the way for continued growth and development in the future. It is an interactive and educational experience for all.

Te Tumu is a highly-tactile indoor playground for under 5s where design management ensured the harmonious combination of build, paint, print, Autex, timber, fabric, upholstery and flooring substrates.

In Te Puku, is a high-energy space full of bespoke exhibition joinery, print, multiple AV applications and interactive experiences. The architecture, spatial and content design is structured to define each of the key zones and encourage visitor movement throughout.

The stark colour scheme in Te Waha is a sharp contrast to the other two spaces, inspired instead by pragmatic mechanical drawings, engineers’ blueprints, and science laboratories. Featuring the The Science Alive Te Manawa Magic Box, Beats in Time object display, two large projections and a friction slide for adventurous visitors it is designed to evolve and be used for a range of functions.

All design choices throughout Te Puawānanga were made to inspire our young people and to be the innovators of tomorrow.